Bobbin donning mechanism



Aug. 27, 1968 Filed Feb. 14, 1967 L. L. CHABOT ET AL BOBBIE DONNINGMECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I N V a N T0 R LEOLCHABOT HERMAN HanssnaATTORNEY Aug. 27, 1968 L. L. CHABOT ETA!- 3,393,520

BOBBIN DONNING MECHANISM 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 14, 1967 ATTORNEYAug. 27, 1968 a... L. CHABOT ETAL 3,398,520

BOBBIN DONNING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 14, 1967 iEli m. hi Q l N V E N T O R LEO L.CHF\BOT HERMAN MHGSMA a A M ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent BOBBIN DONNING MECHANISM Leo L. Chabot, Cumberland, R.I.,and Herman Haagsma, Whitinsvilie, Mass., assignors, by mesneassignments, to John Donald Marshall and Horace L. Bomar as Trustees ofthe Carolina Patent Development Trust Filed Feb. 14, 1967, Ser. No.616,006

8 Claims. c1. 57 s3 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A warp bobbin donningmechanism movable along the rail of a spinning frame and adapted toimpale a supply of empty warp bobbins carried thereby on a row ofspindles forming a part of said spinning frame.

Background of the invention With bobbin donning mechanisms which areadapted to impale a supply of empty bobbins on a row of spindles of aspinning frame, it has long been desirous from an economic stand pointto avoid excessive handling of the bobbins, such as the individualorientation required in the storage magazines to assure unrestrictedwithdrawal therefrom. Additionally, it has been desirous to provide apositive an uncomplicated means for guiding and moving the bobbins fromtheir source of supply to the donning apparatus as well as a mechanismwhich is capable of accommodating bobbins of different lengths anddiameters.

The donning mechanism according to the instant invention is adapted toaccommodate bobbins of different sizes and the multiplicity of emptybobbins forming the supply are loosely carried within a reservoir. Asthe mechanism is caused to move along the rail of a spinning frame thebobbins are individually and successively guided from the reservoir,through a channel to a conveying mechanism which receives them fordelivery to the donning apparatus.

A known form of a bobbin donning mechanism is shown and described in US.Patent No. 3,164,946.

Summary of the invention The bobbin donning mechanism comprising theinvention is adapted to be moved into a position to function incooperation with the rail of a spinning frame and includes a reservoirwithin which the empty bobbins forming the supply are loosely contained.By means of gravity the bobbins enter a channel extending from thereservoir and are guided therethrough to a conveying mechanism whichpicks them up individually and delivers them to the donning apparatus.Within the reservoir there is provided a bobbin mixing element toprevent the bridging of said bobbins therein. The reservoir fur therincludes a bobbin displacing member which displaces certain bobbinsadjacent the entrance to the channel to permit unrestricted entrance ofothers therein. Cooperating with the bobbins within the channel, adriving means is provided which continually urges the bobbins toward theconveying mechanism.

Brief description of the drawing FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation of aportion of the donning mechanism according to the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation and on a slightly enlarged scale of aportion of the mechanism in FIG. 1 showing further detail of the meansutilized to move the bobbins from the reservoir to the conveyingmechanism; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2.

Description of the preferred embodiment Now referring to the figures ofdrawing, a portion of the donning mechanisms supporting framework isshown in FIG. 1 and is depicted generally by numeral 10. Supportingwheel members 11, 12 and 13 are rotatably attached to the upper portionof the supporting framework and serve as a means for mounting thedonning mecha nism on the rail of a spinning frame and for moving thesame therealong.

Freely rotatable roller members 14 are adjustably attached to theframework adjacent its lower side which when in operating position arein contact with the lower rail of a spinning frame and being adjustableserve as a means for guiding and maintaining the mechanism in properdonning position as it moves along the rail.

Adjacent one end of the supporting framework there is provided a pair ofspaced plate-like members 15 and 16 (FIGS. 1 and 3) which are fixedlypositioned within the framework and which extend upwardly beyond theupper limits of said framework. These plate-like members 15 and 16provide a supporting structure for the means for driving the cooperatingcomponents of the donning mechanism as well as the bobbin conveyingapparatus and will be described in more complete detail hereinafter.

A horizontally disposed shaft member 17 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) is positionedadjacent the lower end of the plate members 15 and 16 and extendingtherebetween, it is supported by the latter for rotation in alignedbearings 18 and 19 (FIG. 3) which are fixedly attached to plate members15 and 16, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of sprockets 21 and 22 are fixed on shaft 17intermediate the plate members 15 and 16 and are interconnected by meansof sprocket chains 23 and 24 with a similar pair of sprockets (notshown) mounted in a like manner adjacent the upper end of said platemembers.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 sprocket chains 23 and 24 are caused to movein the direction of the indicating arrows 25 and are driven by a pair ofsprocket members (not shown) disposed above and in vertical alignmentwith sprockets 21 and 22. The sprockets (not shown) receive their sourceof drive from and are mechanically linked to the supporting wheel member11.

A plurality of arcuated bobbin trays 26 extend between sprocket chains23 and 24 and are fixedly attached adjacent their ends to and at spacedpoints about said chains. These bobbin trays are adapted to receive andpick up bobbins 27 individually (FIG. 3) from the source of supply whichwill be more fully described hereinafter,

and deliver them to the donning mechanism (not shown) disposed adjacentthe upper end of the plate-like members 15 and 16.

One end of the shaft member 17 extends outwardly beyond its supportingbearing 18 in plate 15 and has fixed thereon a sprocket 28. Sprocket 28serves as a source of drive for the rotating components of the bobbinreservoir as well as the means for urging them toward the conveyingapparatus and will now be described in greater detail.

The bobbin reservoir is depicted generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 by numeral29 and communicates with that end of the supporting framework 10opposite the plate-like mem bers 15 and 16. The reservoir includes, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 3, spaced side members 30 and 31 which are fixedlgassembled within the supporting framework and is provided with endplates 32 (one only shown in 3 FIG. 2) which interconnect the ends ofsaid side members. The bottom of the reservoir is angularly disposed andis directed downwardly in the direction of the sprocket chains 23 and'24 and bobbin trays 26 which form the conveying apparatus.

The bottom of the reservoir is depicted by numeral 33 (FIG. 2) and beingof plate-like configuration, it interconnects the side members 30 and31. Extending downwardly the bottom 33 of the reservoir terminates shortof the lowermost portion thereof to define an opening 34 (FIG. 2). Thisopening is of a size which permits one bobbin at a time to passtherethrough and it communicates with a bobbin channel 35 disposed atsubstantially the same angular setting as the bottom 33 of thereservoir. Side members 30 and 31 extend below the lower limits of thereservoir and as shown in FIG. 2 form the sides of the bobbin channel.

The bottom of the channel is identified by numeral 36 and also being ofplate-like configuration it interconnects the side members 30 and 31 andextends downwardly into close proximity with the conveying apparatus.

The lowermost end of the bobbin channel is provided with a pair ofspaced bobbin supports 37 (one only shown in FIG. 2) which form achannel extension and serve to restrict the flow of bobbins in thechannel and to position each individual bobbin for pick-up by one of thebobbin trays 26.

An endless chain member 38 driven by sprocket 28 extends in a horizontaldirection from the lower portion of the latter and meshes with an idlersprocket 39 (FIGS. 1 and 2). Extending upwardly from sprocket 39 thechain member 38 is in driving relation with a sprocket 40 that is fixedon one end of a shaft 41 and then extends generally downward to thedriving sprocket 28.

Shaft 41 extends between side members 30 and 31 and is supported forrotary movement by the latter in aligned bearing members 42 and 43 (FIG.3) which are fixedly attached to side members 30 and 31, respectively.That end of shaft 41 which supports sprocket 40 extends outwardly beyondside member 30 and is provided immediately adjacent to said sprocketwith a spur gear 44 which is adapted to rotate with said shaft andsprocket.

Spur gear 44 is in meshing relation with a second spur gear 45 which ismounted for rotation on and with a shaft 46. Shaft 46 extends within andbetween the side members 30 and 31 which form the bobbin reservoir andis supported by bearing members 47 and 48 that are fixed to said sidemembers. That portion of shaft 46 within the reservoir is provided witha pair of diametrically opposed and radially extending blade members 49and 50 and when caused to rotate with said shaft are adapted to contactand displace the bobbins 27 to prevent their bridging in said reservoir.

The portion of shaft 41 extending between side members 30 and 31 isprovided with a pair of spaced hub members 51 and 52 which areinterconnected by a plurality of vane elements 53 (FIG. 3) the ends ofwhich are equally disposed about said hubs and which extend radiallytherefrom. Rotation of shaft 41 rotates the hub members 51 and 52 withtheir vane elements in an anticlockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 2and during rotation thereof the vane elements contact and displace thosebobbins in contact with the lowermost bobbins in the reservoir about toenter the channel 35, thereby permitting unrestricted entrance of thebobbins into said channel.

Intermediate the bearing members 42 and 43 and the hub members 51 and 52shaft 41 is provided with a pair of spaced connecting links 54 and 55(FIGS. 2 and 3) which are pivotably mounted on said shaft by means ofintegrally formed hubs 56 and 57, respectively. The opposite ends ofthese connecting links terminate in integrally formed hubs 58 and 59 andbeing in alignment one with the other serve as a means for supportingfor rotation a shaft 60. One end of shaft 60 extends outwardly beyondhub 58 and is provided on the end thereof with a spur gear 61 which isin meshing relation with spur gear 44. Intermediate the hubs 58 and 59of the connecting links 54 and 55 shaft 60 includes a pair of spaced andfixed collars 62 and 63 having assembled thereto circular resilient discmembers '64 and 65, respectively;

As shown in FIG. 3 the connecting links 54 and 55 are interconnectedintermediate their ends by 'a bar 66 which traverses the distancetherebetween and attaches to said links by any suitable means such asbolts 67 and 68. Y

Each of the connecting links is provided with an adjusting screw 69which assembles in a tapped hole (not shown) in each link adjacent theends of bar 66 and each screw is provided with a lock nut 70. The shankportions of these screws extend downwardly and the heads thereof arecaused to rest on a plate member 71 (FIG. 2) disposed immediately abovethe bobbin channel 35.

With the connecting links 54 and 55 being pivotably assembled on shaft41, the resilient disc members 64 and 65 are caused to contact thebobbins in the channel 35. These disc members rotate with shaft 60 andserve as a means for pushing or urging the bobbins toward the conveyingapparatus. Frictional contact between the disc members 64 and 65 and thebobbins 27 in the channel is controlled by taking up or letting off onthe adjusting screws 69. t

In operation, the endless chain member 38 is caused to move in thedirection of the indicating arrow 72 shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2the chain moving in this direction will cause the idler sprocket 39,shaft 41 with the sprocket 40 and spur gear 44 fixed thereon to rotatein an anti-clockwise direction. This movement rotates the vane elements53 to displace the bobbins within the reservoir as heretofor describedand spur gear being in mesh with gear 44, rotates shaft 46 and the blademembers 49 and fixed thereon to displace the bobbins in the reservoirthereby eliminating the possible chance of said bobbins becomingbridged.

Spur gear 61 which is also in mesh with gear 44 is caused to rotate in aclockwise direction and being fixed on shaft it rotates the latter anddisc members 64 and carried thereby. This rotary movement of the discmember and the frictional contact between them and the bobbins in thechannel serves as means for continually urging the bobbins toward theconveying apparatus.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it is to beunderstood that the inventive concept may be carried out in a number ofways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precisedetails described, but is intended to embrace all variations andmodifications thereof falling within the .spirit of the invention andthe scope of the claims.

We claim:

1. A warp bobbin donning mechanism adapted to impale a supply of emptywarp bobbins on a row of spindles, said mechanism including a bobbinreservoir having a guiding channel extending downwardly therefromadapted to individually and successively receive said bobbins from saidreservoir, rotatable cylindrical driving means positioned above saidchannel and having the peripheral surface thereof engageable with thebobbins in said channel for urging them along the latter, and aconveying means associated with said guiding channel for individuallyreceiving said bobbins for delivery to the donning portion of saidmechanism.

2. The donning mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said driving meanscomprises a pair of spaced rotating disc members with the outerperipheries thereof being en-gageable with said bobbins.

3. The donning mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said bobbinreservoir includes abobbin mixing element for preventing the bridgingofsaid bobbins therein.

4. The donning mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said bobbin mixingelement includes a pair of opposed and transversely extending rotatingblade members engageable with said bobbins.

5. The donning mechanism according to claim 1 Wherein said bobbinreservoir includes a bobbin displacing member for permitting saidbobbins to be moved by gravity into said guiding channel.

6. The donning mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said bobbindisplacing member comprises a pair of spaced hub members fixed on acommon rotating shaft and having a plurality of spaced and radiallyextending vane elements interconnecting said hubs and engageable withsaid bobbins.

7. The donning mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said conveyingmeans includes a pair of spaced endless belt members supported formovement in unison and having a plurality of arcuated bobbin traysinterconnecting and traversing the distance between said belt members.

8. The donning mechanism according to claim 2 Wherein said rotating discmembers include an adjustment means for controlling the engagementthereof with said bobbins.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,886,940 5/1959 Urano et a1.57-53 3,154,909 11/1964 Urano et al 57-53 XR 3,164,946 1/1965 Du Buis etal 5753 3,328,948 7/1967 Du Buis et a1. 5753 JOHN PETRAKES, PrimaryExaminer.

